Bischke, Powell to reunite in college

Harvard High School senior basketball players Kaylee Bischke and Makenna Powell thought they had played their last game together when the Hornets lost to Woodstock North Feb. 16 in the IHSA Class 3A regional tournament.

Fate has changed for the two as they both decided to play for the McHenry County College Fighting Scots girls basketball team.

Bischke averaged 18.2 points per game her senior year and scored 1,002 points in her high school career. Powell missed several games her senior season but came on strong at the end of the season to average about 10 points a game.

Bischke and Powell met with MCC head coach Karen Wiley and were very impressed.

“It went great,” Bischke said. “She is really fun.”

“I love the coach,” Powell said. She’s very enthusiastic, and she works hard for her team.”

Bischke said HHS head girls basketball coach Ashley Arff helped her decide to play basketball at the next level.

“Coach Arff really helped me with my decision,” Bischke said. “She told me that my talent shouldn’t go to waste, and I felt I should give it a shot.”

Arff said she was ecstatic her players are playing in college.

“I’m very happy that they are both going to be playing with each other [at MCC],” Arff said. “It will be a great experience for them. Hopefully, they can go on from there to play at a four-year school.”

Both players said they are excited to continue playing basketball.

“I’m excited to be able to continue my career in sports because sports have always been such a big part of my life,” Bischke said.
“I’m glad I have the opportunity to continue playing them.”

“I’m really excited to play basketball again,” Powell said.

Powell is hoping to play for a bigger school when she graduates from MCC.

“Coach Wiley helps place her girls into bigger D1 and D2 schools if they are ready,” Powell said.

Bischke also will play softball and will reunite with 2014 HHS graduates Katie Martin and Marley Orr, who are on the team.

“She’s a great player,” said HHS head softball coach Becky Edinger of Bischke. “She’s fundamentally sound, and she knows what she is doing. She works hard. She likes challenges. She’s a fierce competitor, and that’s something that I have always respected about her. I think she’ll have a great college career.”